We’ve encouraged them
to speak out on a global stage, share their stories with the world and be the
change they want to see.

In a world marred
with challenges and conflict, many of the issues we currently face directly
affects girls - and often disproportionately so. From the ongoing refugee crisis
to violence and everyday sexism, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl
Scouts is providing a platform for girls so they can tell the world what it’s
like to grow up as a girl today.

Speaking out

As the world’s
biggest Movement for girls, we know that if we support them to speak out, they
will make an impact through their sheer power and passion.

Throughout 2016,
I’ve seen Girl Guides and Girl Scouts inspire leaders, creating change in their
communities, their country and internationally.

Earlier this year
the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women, the leading conference on gender equality and empowerment of women, took
place in New York.

As experts on
their own needs, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts were given an opportunity to
address world leader on issues affecting them.

Shellmith, 25, from Kenya, was one of them. Shellmith is a young leader
with the Kenya Girl Guides Association. She trains girls who live in Kibera,
Kenya’s biggest slum, so they are able to get a job and enjoy a bright future.
She told me how she’s passionate about entrepreneurship and how, when girls are
given support, they really can change their world

"An
empowered girl with entrepreneurial skills can come up with green ventures that
sustain our world better, thus be the change we all need,” she said.

Shellmith is determined
to see girls succeed – and she’s just one of our 10 million inspiring Girl
Guides and Girl Scouts who are speaking out on important issues, gaining
leadership skills and making a difference.

Tackling issues

This year alone,
our Girl Guides and Girl Scouts have worked on issues such as mental health,
body confidence, violence and sexual harassment in schools.

At Women Deliver
2016, girls from across the world educated the international community about
the importance of body confidence, sharing the skills they had learnt from their
non-formal education sessions facilitated by the World Association of Girl
Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).

They urged
leaders to recognise body confidence as a global issue which affects all girls
and young women, and called for it to be taken seriously.

WAGGGS’ Regional
Conference in Africa saw girls from across the continent share their
experiences of what their lives are really like. Undeterred by challenges,
these girls and young women are determined not to be bystanders, but rather leaders
in their communities.

The work these young
leaders are doing in country – whether it’s stopping violence, making reusable
sanitary pads or educating others about the importance of body confidence - is
nothing short of amazing and, again, it’s the same for Girl Guides and Girl
Scouts across the world.

Standing together

In October, we
celebrated International Day of the Girl. We called for our 10 million members
to get involved, share messages and photos showing why girls’ rights matter. In
war-torn Syria, our Girl Guide troop in country bravely shared a photograph of
the group united, standing up for girls’ rights, sending a powerful message across
our Movement and to the world.

Most recently,
we’ve worked hard to highlight the issue of sexual harassment in schools. Using
our U-Report tool, we asked young people from around the world whether they
believe it’s an issue. Over two thirds of young people told us sexual
harassment is an overwhelming problem for girls, with more than half saying it
stops them from studying and taking part in hobbies.

As a parent and
as Chief Executive of World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, it is a major cause for concern when girls
and young women feel unsafe in a school environment, which is traditionally
thought to be a safe space.

While the
statistics are shocking, over 1,400 young people also took the opportunity to
share how they are tackling violence in school, whether it’s involving boys or
holding afterschool clubs, while WAGGGS
continues to encourage girls and women to speak out about it, through our
Voices Against Violence curriculum.

Again, it drives
home the power and passion of young people involved in our Movement.

A big thank you!

We’re so glad
other people see the true value of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting. I’d like to
extend a warm thank you to all our volunteers and supporters who continue to
donate their time and money to our Movement. It’s this generosity that ensures
our Member Organisations are supported so our Movement is united, thriving and
growing.

In a world beset
with shock and disaster, we are committed to ensuring young women and girls
have the tools they need to go forward, make their voices heard and tackle
issues important to them.

As the year comes to a close and new one beckons, I hope the power and
passion of girls and young women will prevail and that’ll you continue to stand
with us in any way you can.